Switch-actuating mechanism.



1. BROWN.

SWITCH ACTUATiNG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, I917.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918 3 $HEETS----SHE-ET a mum;

wit-Ham 3. BROWN.

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. I917.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

5] wuambo'a t/ m/ fir'azarz/ 1. BROWN.

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPHCATION FILED MAY14,19H.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- JOHN BROW'N, OF PRESTON,

IDAHO.

SWITCH-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application filed May 14, 1917. Serial No. 168,485.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Preston, in the county of Franklin and State of Idaho, have invented a new and useful SWitch-Actuating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a mechanism for controlling and operating a pump, which can be used for automatically pumping the water out of the cellar or for otherwise pumping water or other fluid.

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel and improved mechanism for controlling and operating an electric switch which in turn controls the operation of an electric motor that drives the pump, the device being such that the switch is opened and closed with a quick movement by the rise and fall of the float or equivalent means.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a switch operating device of the nature indicated which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and thoroughly efiioient, reliable and practical in use.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, which appear as the description proceeds, the lnvention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings V Figure l is the diagrammatical view illustrating the pumping outfit and controlling and operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the switch operating device with the parts in position to close the switch.

Fig. 3 is the longitudinal section of said device in position with the switch open.

Fig, 4 is the cross section on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a device 1 for opening and closing a switch 2 hinged to a switchboard or slab 3 and controlling the circuit 4 of an electric motor 5 which is connected by a belt 6 or otherwise with a pump 7. Connected to the inlet of the pump is a pipe 8 communicating with a .waterboxor receptacle 9. It the apparatus is used for automatically pumping the water out of a cellar, or the like, the receptacle or waterbox 9 is disposed atcthe lowest point of the cellar for the water to drain into the same, and from which the water is pumped. A pipe 10 connected to the pump 7 conducts the water to a suitable point of discharge, such as a drain, reservoir, or the like. A float 11 is movable within the receptacle 9 and connected thereto is a cord, cable or rope 12 passing over pulleys or guides 13 and having connected thereto a weight 14. The float 11 is heavier than the weight 14 thereby to pull the cable 12 with the float when the float is lowered, but when the float is buoyed up by the water in the receptacle 9 the weight 14 will pull the cable 12 in the opposite direction. Between the ends of cable 12 there is clamped thereon a pair of adjustable knobs 15 operating the device 1 to close the switch 2, when the weight 14 pulls the cable 12 due to the rise of the float 11, thereby starting the motor 5 which drives the pump 7 to pump the water out of the receptacle 9. As the water is pumped out the float 11 will lower pulling the cable 12 with it, and when the water I level is lowered, the device 1 will be operated to open the switch 2 thereby stopping the motor and the pump until the receptacle 9 is again filled.

The device 1, which forms the gist of the I invention, is of special construction whereby to open and close the switch by a sharp movement, which is desirable in an electric switch, for reasons well known. By opening and closing the switch by quick movement, the motor is stopped and started properly.

The device 1 embodies a rocking Or oscillating ball runway 16 of elongated form, having attached to its intermediate portion an upwardly projecting arm or lever 17 and the runway 16 is pivoted intermediate its ends. as at 18, to a support of any suitable sort whereby the runway can swing about a horizontal axis past a horizontal intermediate position. The knobs 15 contact with the arm 17 when moved with the cable 12 and thereby tilt the runway 16 accordingly.

Plungers 19 and 20 are slidable within the ends of the runway 16 and are provided with flanges 21 at their outer ends. The two plungers are connected by longitudinal rods 22 at opposite sides of the runway 16, slidable in suitable guides 23 carried by the runway. The ends of the rods 22 extend through the flanges 21 and are secured adjustablyrunway ip g to {he corrcsp n ed that when 'dly the fian e 'ictional engagenic l spring This I) al moX-ement or the "r position.

1 moving the Jlungers outwardly alternately, as the runway is tilted lack and fortl T he ball is held at either en 01 the runway until the same is '1 i a certain amount, by the provision of 27 secured upon the bottom or" L and pro ecting to ward the ee ends of the sp" 5 SQil by adjus ing screws threaded i e runway and upon which the swings it The hall.

26 c lily roll 0* er the sprir ward especti e ends of the r in rol J from either end 0:. 1 way over the step formed l the free spring 27. n7 thus d he 2) at ei y is me to IOll onding 11 m ridin V .u aging an outstanding stud o0 arrf'cd hv rod opposite the leve Whof z Dining mg again the uh-Hay ontal or intermee of inclina the ball 26 but thi, is ii will roll it gravity in pluiger 20 with 't from the re M it; move the plungers toward the left. "This will 1 Oil. [111's S :wingg the switch 2 with the rods 22 by a sharp movement to close the switch quickly und start the motor and pump. The device 1 will remain in tl' position until the water is pumped out of the receptacle 9, it being noted that as the water is pumped out, the float 11 will fall with the water level, thereby pulling the cable 12 and swinging the arm 7 ti'nvard the right. This will. else the 1 J 20 with the runway 16, which plunger is, inthe meantime, in its lowered posi ion, as seen in Fig. The ball QG'Wh-ich bears against. the plunger 20 will be held by re ctive spring or detent 27 until the runway 16 is inclined sulliciently to enable the ball to roll over this spring 27 and strike the plunger 19 with suliicient momentum to carry. the plungcrs and rods 22 toward the r ght'tor quickly opening the switch 2, thus ,7 opping tl e motor and pump.

The limited increment of the cable 12 will bit he movement of the device 1, although the movement. of the runway 16 ed by any suitable stops. thus descr'bed the invention, what maid as new is: switch operating de ice embodying Y way, means for swinging it izontal position, movable means by the runway for operating a and a member movable within the for operating the last mentioned switch operating device embodying V g runway, means for moving it past l ion, reciprccatory means car- K e runway to: oimrziiting a switch, d a member movable in the runway for noting the second mentioned means back and forth as the runway tilt-ed in opposite directions.

u. A switch operating device embodying a reciting runway, means for swinging same pa t horizontal position, plungcrs working 31 the ends of the runway, means connecting the plungers for operat ing a switch, u a member IIlCViZOlG within the -unway the plunge outwardly.

operating device enbodying a g ,nway, means Ior swinging same past horizon al position, plunger-s working with n the ends of the runwa means convanjlly, and de- 3 2e; us carried by the rljuiway for holdsnid member at either end of the runvay until it is inclined a certain amount.

5. A switch operating device embodying a rock g runway, means for swinging it past horizon al position, plunger-s for working in the ends of the runway, means connecting the plungers for connection with a switch to op in the runway to strike'the plungers and rate it, a member n'iovaole \viththe member, and means movable on said member for operating the last mentioned means. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature 15 in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN BRO\VN. Witnesses:

J. N. LARsnN, HARRIET NELSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

